Generator Question

[Kanewpadle]

The good Chief’s generator thread got me thinking. I didn’t have a generator. But I do now.

It was recommended to only use ethanol free gas. But I saw that some of the additives for gas such as Stabil protect against ethanol damage.

Anyone know if this stuff works? Or should I just stick to ethanol free gas?

 

[wood714]

I had the same gas in mine for 8 years with a couple bottles of Stabil mixed in. It always started by the second pull.

I use Sea Foam in everything now.

 

[soFlaNative]

Ethanol in gasoline bonds to water molecules and separates into layers (phase separation). The only product I've found that prevents such happening is K-100. My experience with the product was brief for once ethanol free gas became readily available in my area I've used it in my small engines exclusively. Barring natural disaster 10 gallons will last me a year treated with Stabil with no issues.

 

[Mercury]

When I had a generator, I couldn't get ethanol-free gas and I didn't know if Stabil really worked.

After each use, I would siphon out the tank and then run it until it used up the gas in the carburetor. It always started on the first pull when I went to use it next time.

If the ethanol-free gas is available, I would feel most comfortable using it and also following my shut down method above. Even regular gasoline will turn to varnish if left too long.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

After I use mine. I turn the gas off and run it till it starves out. It starts easy the next time I need it.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I use Sea Foam in my snow blower and mow lower and generator.

 

[mike4sigs]

i went to use my Chainsaw a cpl years back and i pushed the priming bulb and it was like bubble gum i now use ethanol free in my 2 stroke motors and plan it in my 4 stroke mowers since it has become easier to come by

 

[Tom S.]

I thought new equipment was designed to run on ethanol gas?

As to the generator question, the key is how often will it run? Mine can literally go years between runs because I only hook it up for long outages. After each use, I run it until it sputters and dies. Depending on how long it ran, I may also change the oil. Then I park it back in the shed until the next time. It's close to 30 years old but still looks and runs like new.

As a side note, I install whole house generators but don't own one. I can count the number of times we lost power for more than one day on the fingers of one hand. That's over a 44 year period. My portable cost me something like $350. It's only 5,000 watts, but that's enough to keep the lights, refrigerator and furnace going. Don't get me wrong, whole house generators are great if you live in a place that loses power often, such as hurricane areas or you have extra cash lying around and don't really want that registered magnum.

 

[NYlakesider]

As a long time gear head that has stored countless vechicles and equipment over the years, if available I will only use none ethanol gas. Also use a good stabilizer in stored gas.

This ethanol gas was basically forced on us just like the electric car is. Given a choice I will go with the best product! Yes none E gas cost more but living rural when I want something to start it has to start.

 

[gjgalligan]

I use to use stabil but the spring that my Harley had "cottage chesse" in the gas tank cured me.
I have a whole house Generac 22kw that runs off my propane tank as I need it for summertime outages to run central AC. My wife has asthma and has trouble breathing in hot humid weather. I also have a small gasoline for backup. In the cooler weather it can sustain us if the Generac dies or if I want to shut it down in a long term situation. It as a gas shutoff so I can run the carb dry for shutdown. If I have to leave Egas in it I pour some Sea Foam in it before shutdown.
I have switched over to pure gas for all my 2cyl lawn tools.

 

[Denverd0n]

I thought new equipment was designed to run on ethanol gas?

It is. Older engines, no. Anything made in the last 10 years or so, though, will have no problem what so ever with 15% ethanol gasoline.

 

[cololab]

My generator manual recommends non-ethanol gas, so that's what I use along with Stabil in my stored gas. As others above have mentioned, proper shut down and storage will save you many headaches.

 

[45Smashemflat]

I have run non ethanol in all my lawn care gear, and quite often in my truck. For the lawn care, I keep about 20 gal in rotation and treat it with Stabil when I buy it. When I mix up the two-smoke can, I add a TBL spoon of sea foam. That has worked well for close to 20 years with Stihl gear and the ubiquitous B&S and Kawasaki 4 strokes.

Probably just grumpy old man process.

 

[WardenRoss]

FWIW...

I bought a new zero turn mower in 2006 with a Kohler carbureted motor. I've only put non-ethanol fuel in her since day-one. I do add Lucas fuel additive at each fill-up (recommended by a BMW Master Mechanic friend).

I've never drained the fuel in the off season. Durning the winter, I do start and run it about every two-weeks.

I cut my yard, sometimes a neighbor's yard and our rental property.

Eighteen seasons and absolutely never a problem. She still runs like new.

,

 

[cherrypointmarine]

If you haven't started it yet , DON'T . I had one that sat for 9 years until we needed it . I put the oil in and gas and it started right up . A good fuel additive and what Mike , SC Hunter said . When you're done with it shut off the fuel and let it run until it stops . Now you know there's no gas in the system .

My new one is dual fuel , gas or propane . I have 2 100gal tanks which is good for a couple of days . Plus I don't have to worry about the gas issues . But on propane you don't get as many peak watts .

 

[SMSgt]

For small engines, use non-ethanol fuel, never store them with fuel in the tank, always run/drain the carb dry. Any stored gas goes bad over time, ethanol fuel much faster. Fuel stabilizer should be used. I also add some Marvel Mystery oil to the mix. "Premix" fuels are not good for engines.

Before each hurricane season starts, I pull my generator out, put about a Qt of gas in it, and run it until it dies. While it's running, I make sure it's producing power--the only reason for its existence. After 20 years of storage and rare use, it still cranks on 1-2 pulls. After the season is over, the gas goes into the vehicles.

 

[WR Moore]

If your generator rests in a basement, heated garage or something similar, letting it sit until needed might work. However, if you, like me, have your generator stored in an unheated outbuilding, running it under 1/3-1/2 load once in awhile is a good idea. It cooks any moisture out of the generator coils & stator.

Which reminds me, after I get through with the current project, gotta do that.

 

[wood714]

I thought new equipment was designed to run on ethanol gas?

As to the generator question, the key is how often will it run? Mine can literally go years between runs because I only hook it up for long outages. After each use, I run it until it sputters and dies. Depending on how long it ran, I may also change the oil. Then I park it back in the shed until the next time. It's close to 30 years old but still looks and runs like new.

As a side note, I install whole house generators but don't own one. I can count the number of times we lost power for more than one day on the fingers of one hand. That's over a 44 year period. My portable cost me something like $350. It's only 5,000 watts, but that's enough to keep the lights, refrigerator and furnace going. Don't get me wrong, whole house generators are great if you live in a place that loses power often, such as hurricane areas or you have extra cash lying around and don't really want that registered magnum.

I asked the sales dude about what gas to use when I bought my new mower last week. He said regular was fine. When I got the manual it said the same. It holds 2 gallons, and I'll add a couple ounces of Sea Foam to each tank.

As far as generators, had mine since 2006 and when I used it for 2 hours last Thursday it was the first time I needed it.

If I did need a generator a lot I'd get a larger portable one over a stand alone whole house sitting on a pad next to my house. I heard those things ain't cheap to run too.

 

[Rule3]

I use stabil in regular gas for generator and lawn mower. I drain it out of gen when not in use,


I use ethanol free in 2 cycle engines,like string trimmer, chain saw

 

[NYlakesider]

I asked the sales dude about what gas to use when I bought my new mower last week. He said regular was fine. When I got the manual it said the same. It holds 2 gallons, and I'll add a couple ounces of Sea Foam to each tank.

As far as generators, had mine since 2006 and when I used it for 2 hours last Thursday it was the first time I needed it.

If I did need a generator a lot I'd get a larger portable one over a stand alone whole house sitting on a pad next to my house. I heard those things ain't cheap to run too.

At -20F, to rural people approaching 80YO I want the one on the pad.

Every person I would think has their definition of cheap. It all depends on your life's experience and expectations.